Jesse Joensuu getting his chance with Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton's Jesse Joensuu (6) collides with Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell (19) during the third period of the Edmonton Oilers' NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013. The Flyers won 4-3. Codie McLachlan/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

The Edmonton Oilers winger is currently playing on a line with Sam Gagner and Jordan Eberle adding size to their skill.

Joensuu, 26, has played over 14 minutes in the last two games. He has yet to pick up a point playing on the Oilers second line but has been effective creating room for his two talented linemates.

The Oilers head out on a three-game road trip starting Tuesday against the Phoenix Coyotes.

“It’s obviously nice to play with them,” Joensuu said. “I’ve played three games where I’ve gotten more ice time. The coaches are giving me an opportunity. The first game I didn’t feel that good, but it’s getting better. At the same time, you want to get onto the score sheet when they’re giving you that opportunity.”

In 24 games this season, Joensuu has two goals and a minus-14 rating.

However, he’s been plus-one in his three games up in the lineup and had a pair of quality opportunities in the Oilers 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Joensuu had three shots in the game, the most he’s recorded since scoring a goal and registering five shots in the season opener against the Winnipeg Jets.

“When you’re getting that opportunity I feel like I should be getting points and our line should be scoring,” Joensuu said. “That’s been the negative thing about this. But I feel like I’m playing better and hopefully our line starts scoring.”

With size being an issue for the Oilers, head coach Dallas Eakins is trying to add muscle to all his lines.

Joensuu and Luke Gazdic represent the bulk of the Oilers size up front. Splitting them up keeps the team’s big eggs out of one basket.

“That’s why it’s enjoyable to play with them because I can just put my head down and try to go where the puck goes and try to make some hits,” Joensuu said. “I just have to try to get the puck to those guys. The less I have the puck the better it is for our line. It’s the style that I want to play and I feel like whenever I’ve been able to play that style, and on that kind of line, I have the most success.”

Playing with Gagner and Eberle, Joensuu’s game is simple. He needs to use his six-foot-four, 210-pound frame to win puck battles allowing his linemates the freedom to create offence.

“I have to try and make some room for them,” Joensuu said. “It might be with a hit, it might be just being in the right position and they get that extra second. I don’t need the puck, I just need my line to score and keep the puck in the offensive zone. If I can be that guy who creates room and not necessarily have the puck, then I’ll be effective.”

Signed by the Oilers as a free agent this summer, Joensuu’s biggest offensive output came in during the 2010-2011 season with the New York Islanders. In 42 games he scored six goals and added three assists.

Last season, during the NHL lockout, Joensuu scored 11 goals and added 14 assists in 24 with Assat-Pori in Finland.

While the offence has yet to come playing up in the lineup, he feels it’s only a matter of time. The key to maintain his coach’s confidence in him to keep him on the line.

“I feel like I’m going in that direction, I know we have a lot of good players and hopefully they still trust me,” Joensuu said. “This would have been great to win the game (Saturday) to keep the lineup the same. But I just have to work hard and try to get goals. But other than that, I have no regrets, I feel I’ve done everything I can to stay there.”

Jesse Joensuu getting his chance with Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers winger is currently playing on a line with Sam Gagner and Jordan Eberle adding size to their skill.

Joensuu, 26, has played over 14 minutes in the last two games. He has yet to pick up a point playing on the Oilers second line but has been effective creating room for his two talented line mates.

The Oilers head out on a three-game road trip starting Tuesday against the Phoenix Coyotes.

“It’s obviously nice to play with them,” Joensuu said. “I’ve played three games where I’ve gotten more ice time. The coaches are giving me an opportunity. The first game I didn’t feel that good, but it’s getting better. At the same time, you want to get onto the score sheet when they’re giving you that opportunity.”

In 24 games this season, Joensuu has two goals and a minus-14 rating.

However, he’s been plus-one in his three games up in the lineup and had a pair of quality opportunities in the